CATALOGUE
The Tree of Life
Program Note:
The ancient metaphor of The Tree of Life is an eloquent symbol shared by the three religions of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Unfortunately, violence in the name of God haunts our religious history. The slaughter of innocents at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh (2018) was the impetus for this piece. May this work serve as a reminder and inspiration for all those who seek peace, harmony, and reconciliation in our world.
Still, we come, gather, and pray... at The Tree of Life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaS2Yc0MBA0
For Orchestra, SATB, and Mezzo-Soprano soloist.
Piano and organ transcriptions are also available.
Duration: 42 min.
PART I: COME
I. Bou.
II. God's Sheltering Love and Breath of Life.
III. Fi Hubben Wa Salam.
IV. AND YET!
PART II: GATHER
V. Ubi Fili.
VI. Love.
PART III: PRAY
VII. Call of the Angels and Benedictus
VIII. Let Us Pray.
Love Aria, with text from the Islamic mystic poets Rumi and Hafez.
Program Note:
Based on poetry written during the American Civil War, this Song Cycle is a view of the War through the eyes of women as witnesses and/or widows. Three of the poems are by Emily Dickinson, a Northerner. Three are by Southern women poets/composers: Ella Wren, Marie Ravenal de La Coste, and “an anonymous Lady from New Orleans.” One poem is by Walt Whitman. The Cycle follows the course of the War from initial fervor through the brutality of conflict, the pain of separation and loss, the constant senseless death, the numbness of mourning, and both sides’ inevitable yearning for peace. However, the poems reflect the human toll exacted by all wars.
Festival Miami Premiere 2017:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDBzD0ti8cY
Toccata Classics recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNtxEW0viUk&t
For Orchestra and Mezzo-Soprano Soloist.
Piano/vocal score available.
CONTENTS
I. He Went as a Soldier.
II. Beat! drums! beat!.
III. We Have Parted.
IV. They Dropped Like Flakes.
V. After Great Pain.
VI. Somebody’s Darling.
VII. Prayer for Peace.
Duration: ca. 34’
Program Note:
MISSA ADSUM! CELEBRATING WOMEN
This work celebrates the talents and gifts women bring to ministry and leadership roles in any religion. The title comes from the Roman rite of ordination, during which the male candidates for ordination are called by name and answer in Latin, "Adsum!" ("I am here" or "I am present"). The nine-movement work is in Mass format.
I. Kyrie: As with the Mass form, the Kyrie is a prayer, but with an added prayer for a renewed effort for expanded access to vocations for both men and women.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgtpzZid5mE&list=RDhgtpzZid5mE&start_radio=1
II. Gloria: A movement traditionally of Praise, this compositional movement also remembers that Jesus’s first spoken word was "Mariam."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxiZLaCS8lU&list=RDQxiZLaCS8lU&start_radio=1
III. Credo: Typically a statement of unified beliefs, this movement is composed as a love song, observing that any religious vocation for women and men is an act of love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSdHiFB8oaY&list=RDrSdHiFB8oaY&start_radio=1
IV. Adsum: The word "Adsum" is usually spoken by a man when called for ordination. In this composition, the word "Adsum" is sung by women.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBwos6xwBbM&list=RDnBwos6xwBbM&start_radio=1
V. Magnificat: These are the words traditionally spoken by Mary when she realizes she has been favored and chosen by God. This is a profound and necessary text for a musical composition proclaiming the role of women in the church.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSOHCfdOjNo&list=RDpSOHCfdOjNo&start_radio=1
VI. Sanctus: The Soloist proclaims, “Sisters and Brothers, here is your Priesthood”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWgOpfOgBnQ&list=RDxWgOpfOgBnQ&start_radio=1
VII. Consecration: A duet between mezzo-soprano and baritone to symbolize equal status before God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od4sIafnwTE&list=RDOd4sIafnwTE&start_radio=1
VIII. Agnus Dei: Includes the famous “All Will Be Well” from Julian of Norwich.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T0aw1JrMdw&list=RD-T0aw1JrMdw&start_radio=1
IX. Ite Missa Est: Rejoicing recessional, proclaiming that we should bring forth the talents and vocations from all who are within our religious communities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN4pwmy2CWI&list=RDQN4pwmy2CWI&start_radio=1
Duration: 45 min.
For Symphonic Band
Dedicated to Dennis and Carol Zeisler
Premiered and conducted by Dennis Zeisler at his Retirement Concert.
Duration: 4 min.
Upon the retirement of Professor Dennis J. Zeisler, “Tribute” acknowledges and celebrates his distinguished career as a teacher, mentor, performer, conductor, adjudicator, and administrator. The piece shows the arc of his career-- his energy and accomplishments, his bittersweet wistfulness as retirement approaches, and his exuberance and joy at the prospect of this new stage of life.
With lyrics by a 5th grade teacher and mom, this collection of 11 songs documents a day in the life of a fifth grader.
Written for SATB chorus and two pianos, the songs include:
1. Why Can't Every Day be Saturday?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0nRrGS5uNY
2. New Kid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPkktA_qAyQ
3. Science: The Rock Cycle and Take the Test!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoMrJirRBag
4. Math—Word Problems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7I_XeyRGmw
5. Bathroom Emergency
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pxTx__Pi2k
6. Lunch Is Not For Eating; It's For Grossing Out Your Friends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ijtLu2UE3o
7. Second Mama
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw8gKIcvD1U
8. Writing: Every Good Story Has A Dragon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX82-pNdPFs&t=6s
9. History: All These People Are Dead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuFGiJ10XPI
10. Who Invented Homework? I Really Hate That Guy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Vo_CJUxso
11. Good Night, Sleep Tight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq9d48EUDzE
